NOVEL WEB Chapter 337: Red
Feng Fan narrowed his eyes and activated his spiritual qi vision. As the intricate flows of energy between the seven planets came into focus, his breath stilled, and his mind slipped effortlessly into a meditative state. He didn't choose to enter it, his consciousness was simply drawn in, consumed by the sheer majesty and complexity of what lay before him.
The rivers of time lost their meanings.
The longer his gaze lingered on the immortal formation, the more something deep within him stirred. Layer by layer, his understanding of the Array Dao expanded. New insights bloomed in his mind like lotus flowers in still water—delicate, fleeting, and profound.
There were no manuals or ancient scrolls that could guide him at this level. No one in the Mortal Realm had ever truly documented what an Immortal-tier array was, let alone how to create one. The only experience Feng Fan had with such a thing was the Immortal-tier array he had once pierced, years ago, during the rescue of the Dao Seeking School and the Black Turtle Sect from the grip of annihilation under the Shen Empire.
But that had been an act of desperation. He hadn't had the luxury to study or appreciate the craftsmanship behind it. He barely managed to carve open a small breach, using brute force and instinct.
Now, however, the circumstances were different. Now, he had time. Now, he had clarity. His understanding of Array Dao was much higher than it was at that time.
Feng Fan let go of everything else and surrendered to the Dao. His consciousness drifted into the celestial weave of the planetary array, feeling the delicate harmony of energies—gravity, qi, space, time—all working in concert like a divine symphony.
For the first time in his life, he didn't just see an array.
He felt it.
At some point, Feng Fan awoke from his meditative state and realized they were no longer aboard the flying vessel. Instead, he now stood atop a massive stone building, overlooking an endless expanse of wilderness.
Before him stretched a vast forest, reaching beyond the horizon in every direction. It was a living, breathing sea of nature. It was lush, vibrant, and pulsing with life, the air thick with spiritual qi. The scene reminded him of the Amazon Rainforest from his home planet—wild, untamed, and brimming with primal vitality.
The only striking difference was the color, everything was red. Not the harsh red of blood or flame, but a deep, natural crimson that tinted the trees, plants, and even the creatures moving within the foliage.
Feng Fan instantly understood where they were and why this world was called Red. Every native lifeform, from the towering flora to the smallest insects, seemed to radiate a unique shade of red, as if the planet itself breathed with a crimson soul.
"Greetings, Senior Feng."
Xue Feng, who stood beside him, noticed the clarity returning to Feng Fan's eyes and respectfully cupped his hands. As Feng Fan turned to look at him, Xue Feng met his gaze with a knowing smile.
"All Array Masters who visit the Seven Planets region eventually find themselves drawn into contemplation of its natural formation," he said. "Still, I didn't expect even someone like you, Senior Feng, to be affected. Though I suppose it's only natural; this is a tier 9 natural array, after all."
Feng Fan returned the smile, though inwardly he chuckled. 'So they believe it's only a tier 9 array…'
Naturally, without another tier 9 Array Master present, none of them could see what he saw. The truth was far beyond their assumptions; this was no mere tier 9 array. It was Immortal-tier. Still, he saw no reason to correct the misunderstanding. Letting them believe what they wanted was simpler.
"Where are Xue Qiang, Huang Xue, and Su Xiaoli?" he asked, glancing around and not spotting the girls nearby.
"They're already in a residence we prepared for you, Senior," Xue Feng replied with a respectful nod. "This is one of the five fortresses on this planet that we hope you'll reinforce with a tier 9 formation."
Feng Fan's gaze shifted behind Xue Feng, where a massive stone castle loomed. Its towering walls, twenty meters high and thick as mountain cliffs, formed an unbroken ring around the structure. He now realized he was standing atop one of those walls.
Activating his spiritual qi vision, Feng Fan narrowed his eyes as he studied the formation bound to the fortress. The array wasn't merely created around the fortress; it was woven into the walls, like glowing veins beneath stone skin.
More intriguing was the stone itself. It pulsed faintly with energy, its texture betraying traces of refined minerals that naturally conducted spiritual qi, enhancing the flow and reach of the formation.
'Hmm... This is interesting. I've never seen such material back in Red Pole,' Feng Fan mused silently, his curiosity sparked.
"Xue Feng," he called without looking away. "What material was used to construct these walls?"
Xue Feng, who had been silently observing him, immediately responded. "Senior Feng, that would be Spiritual Veinstone. It isn't naturally found in the universe; it's man-made. We create it by fusing top-grade qi stones with specific minerals that possess an innate affinity for spiritual qi."
Feng Fan's interest deepened. Top-grade qi stones? That alone was intriguing, he had never heard of stones beyond the high-grade tier. But what truly caught his attention was the process of synthesizing such a useful material.
"I hadn't planned on asking for payment," he said, turning toward Xue Feng with a faint smile, "but how about you hand over the method for creating Spiritual Veinstone, along with the necessary materials?"
Xue Feng's face lit up with relief and excitement. "Of course, Senior Feng! I'll make arrangements immediately!"
To him, this was the best possible outcome. If Feng Fan sought a reward, it meant he would take the job even more seriously. And a curious Array Master was always a thorough one.
As for Feng Fan, his gaze drifted back to the walls, admiration flickering in his eyes. No true array master could ignore the allure of creating even better arrays.